Last updated on January 15th, 2024
Printing from a Chromebook isn’t as daunting as it might seem. With the right steps, you’ll be able to print documents, photos, and more in no time. And I’m here to guide you through it.
Chromebooks have evolved significantly over the years. They’re no longer just cheap alternatives to Windows and Mac. They’ve become powerful tools that can handle a variety of tasks. One such task is printing.
Whether you’re a student printing an assignment or a professional preparing a business report, knowing how to print from a Chromebook is a useful skill. Let’s jump in the process and get you printing in no time.
Enable Google Cloud Print on Your Chromebook
Now that we’ve assessed the importance and ease of printing with a Chromebook, let’s search into the how. To print from your Chromebook, one of the best utilities at your disposal is Google Cloud Print. It’s a simplified route to connect your printer, and it is not a complicated endeavor. Establishing a connection between your Chromebook and printer via Google Cloud Print requires a small series of steps. It doesn’t matter whether you’re familiar with this technology or not – I’ll guide you through the process. Trust me, you’ll be printing your documents in no time! First, you should ensure that your printer is Google Cloud Print Ready. You can find this by checking the packaging or confirming on the manufacturer’s website.
Next, connect your printer to Google Cloud Print by following these steps:
- Click on the menu icon in the chrome browser.
- Select Settings then scroll down and click on Advanced.
- In the printing section, click on Google Cloud Print.
- Click Manage Cloud Print devices.
- If your printer is listed under “New devices”, click Register.
And you’re done! Your printer is now linked to Google Cloud Print and your Chromebook. By integrating the Cloud Print feature, your printer becomes accessible to your Chromebook wherever there’s a working internet connection.
Of course, it’s also important to make sure your Chromebook and printer are on the same Wi-Fi network. Otherwise, despite going through these steps, you won’t be able to print. Always check this before getting down to printing – it’ll save you loads of time and avoid unnecessary frustration.
In the upcoming section, we’ll look at other ways to pair your Chromebook with your printer for seamless printing. As there are other efficient methods apart from Google Cloud Print, stay tuned to know more. These methods will ensure that you’re ready to print, no matter the circumstance.
Connect Your Printer to Google Cloud Print
After establishing that your printer and Chromebook are on the same Wi-Fi network, the next course of action is connecting your printer to Google Cloud Print. This is key to enabling seamless printing from your Chromebook. I’ll guide you through the simplistic process of achieving this.
First thing’s first, let’s power up your printer and ensure it’s connected to the same Wi-Fi network as your Chromebook. The instructions on how to connect a printer to Wi-Fi might differ slightly depending on the printer’s model. Usually, you’d navigate to the printer’s settings, select Wi-Fi settings and connect to your network. If any complications arise, it’s advisable to refer to the manufacturer’s manual.
Now that you’ve handled that, let’s jump in the connection process. Here’s a simple step-by-step guide:
- Launch Google Chrome on a computer that’s also connected to the same network.
- Enter chrome://devices in the browser’s address bar and press Enter.
- Locate and click on your printer under the ‘New Devices’ section.
- Select the ‘Register’ button.
That’s all it takes. However, note that it might take a moment for your device to appear. If it doesn’t show up immediately, don’t fret. Just give it a moment and refresh the page.
Upon successful registration, a confirmation message will be sent to your Google account’s email. That’s your cue to return to your Chromebook and verify that your printer is indeed connected. This you can do by opening the common print dialog or print preview window in Chrome. If your printer is connected, it should pop up as an available printer. It’s worth mentioning that for certain ‘classic’ printers, you may encounter a need for additional steps during this process.
Now your printer is connected and poised for action. We’ll move onto other efficient methods that enhance your Chromebook printing experience.
Print from Google Docs, Sheets, or Slides
After ensuring that your printer and Chromebook are on the same Wi-Fi network, let’s search into how you can print directly from Google Docs, Sheets, or Slides. This method is especially handy when you’re working with Google’s own softwares and prefer a streamlined process.
To print, firstly open the document you want to print. Find the three vertical dots in your upper right-hand corner, Google’s universal symbol for ‘more’. Click on it and drop down to the print option. This directs you to the Printer settings page. In the Printer settings, choose your specific printer from the drop-down list. With Google Cloud Print, this could be any printer on your network, so make sure you choose the correct one. After printer selection, you’ll get several layout options. These include: – The number of copies
- Colored or black and white printing
- One sided (simplex) or both sided (duplex) printing
| Layout Option | Description |
|---|---|
| Number of copies | Specify how many prints you want |
| Colored or B/W | Choose if you want colored or black and white prints |
| Simplex/Duplex | Select if you want one-sided or both-sided prints |
Change these settings according to your needs.
Once you’re done with all the settings, click the ‘Print’ button to start the process. In case your printer does not show on the dropdown list, don’t panic. It could be due to a slew of factors including incorrect setup or issues with the printer itself. Try resetting your printer or double-checking the setup. If everything’s in order and your printer still doesn’t show up, it’s possible that the printer doesn’t support Google Cloud Print.
I’d like to note that while printing from Google Docs, Sheets, or Slides is incredibly convenient, there are other methods for printing from a Chromebook I’ll outline in the following sections.
Print from Web Pages
Just as you print documents from Google Docs, you can also print directly from web pages while browsing with your Chromebook. Chrome OS supports an in-built print function that bridges the gap between your device and the printer.
To initiate the print command, first locate the three vertical dots to the top right corner of your Chrome browser. Clicking on them reveals a dropdown list, and from there, find ‘Print…’. The keyboard shortcut is “Ctrl+P”, for those who prefer this route.
A print preview screen comes up, featuring several adjustable settings. It’s here that you’ll select your printer; ensure it connects to the same Wi-Fi network as your Chromebook. If it’s the first time using this particular printer, click ‘See More…’ to render a list of all available printers nearby.
Next, tweak the layout and other print settings according to your preference. You can switch between landscape and portrait modes, select your preferred paper size, and set the color mode (black and white or color). If you’ve got stacks of pages to print but only need a few, set the page range to lessen the overall print count.
Once you’re satisfied with all settings, click ‘Print’. If the job doesn’t start or the printer doesn’t respond, conduct a quick troubleshooting check. Verify if the printer is switched on, connected to the correct Wi-Fi, and loaded with proper paper and ink.
Sometimes, you’ll encounter issues with saving a webpage as a PDF on your Chromebook. This is a common problem, and the solution is merely a couple of steps away. Select ‘Save as PDF’ instead of a physical printer in the print menu. This output option allows you to save a website or document in a downloadable file format.
In the upcoming sections, I’ll discuss other ways to print from your Chromebook. Whether using a local network, tethering to your phone’s data, or using a USB cable, numerous methods exist to suit different situations.
Print from a USB Drive
Switching gears a bit, let’s talk about printing from a USB drive. It’s somewhat old-school, yet effective when printing from a Chromebook, especially if you’re dealing with a printer that doesn’t connect to Wi-Fi. So, how does one print from a USB on a Chromebook? It’s simple. Here’s a walkthrough:
Firstly, plug your USB into the Chromebook. Once plugged in, the file manager should pop up automatically, showing the USB drive contents. If it doesn’t, you can access the file manager by clicking on the Launcher at the bottom-left corner of your screen. Then simply type “files” into the search bar.
In the file manager, navigate to the document you wish to print. You can preview the document by double-clicking it. Once you’re sure it’s the right document, right-click on the document file. From the drop-down menu, select ‘Print.’
After you select ‘Print’, a dialog box will appear. Here, you can choose your print settings like:
- Number of copies
- Pages to print
- Color options
- Paper size
These will all depend on the capabilities of your printer. After adjusting the settings to your liking, click on the ‘Print’ button at the bottom of the dialog box. If the printer doesn’t start or if any issues occur, remember the troubleshooting steps previously discussed.
At this point, you might be wondering about compatibility. Most USB drives should work on a Chromebook. Here are the file formats that Chromebooks support: – .doc/.docx
- .xls/.xlsx
- .ppt/.pptx
- .pdf – .txt
- .jpg/.jpeg
- .png
- .gif
Up next, we’ll jump in another important topic: printing via email. It’s a very convenient tool to have in your arsenal and we’ll explain why.
Conclusion
So there you have it! I’ve walked you through the nitty-gritty of printing from a Chromebook. Whether it’s Google Cloud Print, direct printing from Google Docs, Sheets, or Slides, printing from web pages, or even using a USB drive, there’s a method that fits your needs. Remember to keep your devices on the same Wi-Fi network for smooth operations. Don’t fret if you run into any hiccups along the way. The troubleshooting steps I’ve shared should have you sorted in no time. Next up, we’ll jump in how to print via email from your Chromebook. Stay tuned for that!
How can I connect my printer to Google Cloud Print?
You connect your printer to Google Cloud Print by ensuring that your printer and Chromebook are on the same Wi-Fi network, then follow the step-by-step guide provided in the article.
Are there other ways to print from a Chromebook?
Yes, apart from using Google Cloud Print, you can print directly from Google Docs, Sheets, or Slides. You can also print from web pages or a USB drive.
How can I print directly from Google Docs on a Chromebook?
To print directly from Google Docs, access the print option, select your desired printer and layout, and initiate the print command.
What if my printer doesn’t show up in the dropdown list?
If your printer doesn’t show up in the dropdown list, refer to the troubleshooting steps mentioned in the article.
Can I print from a Chromebook using a USB drive?
Yes, you can print from a Chromebook using a USB drive. The article provides a step-by-step guide on how to do this.
What should I do if I have trouble printing directly from web pages?
If you have trouble printing directly from web pages, you should check your settings and refer to the troubleshooting tips discussed in the article.